There’s no use denying it, reports of parasitic infection have been appearing more frequently, and in places you might not expect. Some estimates place the infection rate at 90% in the US alone. Another estimates shows that as many as 50% of preschool children are infected with pinworm. With symptoms like; chronic Fatigue, irregular digestion, and irritated bowels, many people will go through they life never suspecting that a parasitic infection is causing their symptoms. This is a major risk to the health of Americans, one which is still under the radar.

Why would Americans worry about parasites? Parasites are found in every economic climate, though they are more prevalent poorer countries. Literally every facet of our survival deal with parasites, such as in our food and drinking water. There are 150,000 different kinds of parasites, and there are even fewer laboratories that do broad spectrum tests. Parasites are often discovered in surgery, during operation on a failed organ. Not only does this shock surgeons, but I’m certain it shocks patients as well.

Are you at risk? You may not believe your in the risk group. Well, you’re wrong. Do you eat food? Drink Water? (which I’m going to guess you do) you are at risk for parasitic infection!

Roundworm from pets: Most cats and dogs have a roundworm infection. By sleeping with your pet, you greatly increase the chance of getting a parasitic infection from them!

Raw fish: Many parasites can be found in raw fish. Among them, the Anisakis roundworm. This worm can cause fatal organ damage if left untreated. Due to the lack of FDA inspectors, only 10% of fish is inspected. Even still, you cannot tell if a fish is infected just by looking it at. Many can only be viewed on the microscopic level. There no way to tell if fish you’r eating is safe. Cooking a fish thoroughly can help insure any parasites within the fish are killed.

Tap water: There have been many cases of parasitic infections spreading from contaminated tap water. Many hundreds of people have died from this. Many more people continued on, never knowing the sometimes fatal damage being done to them.

Food: Many foods you eat come from other countries, and there is no way to insure your food is not contaminated without giving it a good wash with soap. However, even if you buy local, that doesn’t mean the food is parasite free.

Common parasites found in human intestines:

Pork Tape Worm (Taenia Solium): Infections come from eating raw or under cooked pork Larvae grow in the body, causing cysts which can occur in the brain, leading to seizure and death.

Round Worms: According to “The WHO” one billion people are infected with round worms. Growing over 14″ long, and laying 200,000 eggs each day, these worms can cause intestinal blockages. Symptoms include rashes, stomach pain, asthma, eye pain and more, often depending on what part of the body houses the infection.

Pin Worms: An infection commonly found in children. The CDC states in some countries the infection rate is as high as 61%. Children can often get pin worms from playing dirt. Usually there are no symptoms but itching of the anus. Children are at high risk for parasitic infections.

Giardia Parasite: Giardia is the most common intestinal parasites in people. Contaminated water, food, or soil. Symptoms may include fatigue, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and chills.

Whip Worms: Infecting more then 500 million people, this worm can lay over 10.000 eggs per day. The eggs are often found in dry goods such as grains, beans, and rice. This worm causes blood loss that will lead to anemia.

Hookworms: A microscopic worm that sucks your blood through your intestinal wall. Damage to the intestinal wall causes blood loss, leading to anemia. This worm has been known to get into the heart, causing a fatal infection. Animal feces often carry hookworms. There are few symptoms that accompany this infection, and are often not experienced until there is damage to the heart or intestines.

The best parasite cleanse: Dr. Omar Amin’s parasite cleanse; “Freedom, Cleanse, Restore” can be found here

Morphology

Echinococcus Granulosus is known as the minute tapeworm of dogs, or the hydatid tapeworm. The worm is about 4mm in lenght, and consists of a scolex bearing 4 sucker, numerous hooks, and 3 proglottids. Although not found, the eggs of E. granulosus are identical to those of Taenia sp.

Life cycle

Dogs acquire the infection by the ingestion of infective cysts in the tissue of herbivorous animals, such as sheep, which act as intermediate hosts. Each cyst contains a scolex, which develops into an adult tape worm. The adult tapeworm, which does not infect humans, resides in the small intestines of dogs and other canines. In humans, who act as intermediate rather than definitive hosts, this parasite cause unilocular hydatid cyst disease, an illness characterized by the presence of one or more cysts in a variety of tissues and organs of the body.

A hydatid cyst, which may reach the size of grape-fruit, has laminated outer layer, and an inner layer of germinal tissues from which the daughter cysts and brood capsules (smaller cysts containing several developing inverted scolices) bud. The cyst also contains loose pieces of germinal tissue and scolices. This is known as hydatid sand. In addition, there is a great deal of fluid inside the cyst.

Human acquire the infection by accidentally ingesting the eggs of E. granulosus, usually by hand-to-mouth contact with infected dog feces. The ingested eggs migrate to the various body tissues, and produce hydatid cysts. The life cycle is terminated at this point. Herbivores ingest the ova from pastures contaminated with dog feces.

Echinococcus Life Cycle

Transmission & Pathogenesis

Human contract hydatid cyst disease by ingestion of Echinococcus Granulosus eggs, usually by hand-to-mouth contact with infected dog feces. Symptoms vary, depending on the location of the cyst in tissues. Although cysts may form in many areas of the body, the lung and the liver are most commonly affected. Pulmonary symptoms, such as cough, and chest pain, may develop with lung infection. One serious complication of hydatid cyst disease is the risk of anaphylatic shock, following rupture of the cyst.

Laboratory Diagnosis

The eggs of Echinococcus Granulosus are not found in human feces. The diagnosis of hydatid cyst disease may made by radiographic and serologic studies. A combination of assays, including enzyme immunoassay and immunoblot techniques, has been suggest to diagnose hydatid cyst disease. The demonstration of hydatid sand is also diagnostic.

Treatment & Prevention

Although surgical removal of hydatid cyst has long been considered the treatment of choice, several anti-helminthic agents are now available. These include praziquantel and mebendazole. Infection is prevented by good personal hygiene to prevent hand-to-mouth transmission of eggs from dogs to humans, avoidance of ingestion of sheep viscera by dogs, and anti-helminthic treatment of dogs, as necessary.